Delhi Pollution Agency Hiring Amid Air Crisis

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is actively seeking to fill 52 vacant positions through deputation, a significant step to address understaffing that has hampered pollution control efforts. This recruitment comes after a May report revealed 189 out of 344 sanctioned posts were vacant, impacting the agency's operational capacity. The positions include critical roles such as environmental engineers and scientists, vital for real-time air quality assessment and enforcement.

The hiring initiative is particularly timely as Delhi grapples with persistently "very poor" air quality, frequently exceeding "severe" levels this winter. Experts note that the extensive vacancies have led to reduced inspections, delayed actions on violations, and weakened regulatory oversight. Activists highlight that an understaffed DPCC struggles to effectively monitor industrial emissions, waste management, and overall environmental compliance.

Filling these 52 posts is crucial for enhancing the DPCC's ability to enforce environmental laws and coordinate with central agencies. The shortage has notably compromised the agency's mandate to uphold environmental standards in a city highly prone to pollution. The recruitment process involves three phases, with applications being accepted until the end of December.